Semaphore-signal.



S. H. HARRINGTON.

BEMAPEORE SIGNAL.

APPLIOATION IILBD snm'. n, laos. BENHWBD DBO. 14. 1905.

Patented Feb. 9, 1909;

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL H. HARRINGTON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM. C.WILSON, OF NYACK, NEW YORK.

SEMAPHORE-SIGNAL.

AppIication filed. September 9, 1903, Serial No. 172,427.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL H. HARRING- TON, residing at New York, in thecounty of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Semaphore-Signals, of which the followinor is afull, clear, and exact description, suoli as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to semaphore signals. Its object, in general, isto improve the construction of the semaphore frame or arm, to provide anefficient and economical means for actuating the signal and a convenientand economical method of mounting and supporting the actuatingmechanlsm.

Further objects and advantages will be in part obvious from thefollowing description and in part pointed out.

The invention consists in the features of construction, combinations ofelements and arrangement of arts which will be hereinafter fully descried and the novel features thereof pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view, partly in elevationand partly in vertical section, of a semaphore post with a double-bladesi nal and actuating mechanism therefor. `ig. 2 is a section of the poston the line 2 2 of Fi 1. Fig. 3 is a section on line 3 3 of Fig. 2,looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1, looking in thedirection of the arrow. Fig. 6 is a side elevation on an enlar ed scaleof the semaphore frame, with an inication in dotted lines of the methodof forming the blade. Figs. 7 to 11 are sections through the semaphoreframe on the correspondlng lines, showing tlie formation thereof.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throu hout theseveral views.

As shown in ig. 1, a base casing or housing 20 is supported on a groundpipe 21 and is connecte to an upper casing or housing 22 by a hollowpost or support of which the two casings may be said to be continuationsand to form parts. This central part of the ost between the two casingsis preferably ormed, as shown, of channel sections 23, 23, havingoutwardly extending vertical Patented Feb. 9, 1909.

Renewed December 14, 1905. Serial No. 291,785.

flanges 24, 24, by which the two sections may be secured together.'lhese sections, of which there may be a greater number than thatindicated, are preferably formed of steel plate rolled or pressed intoshape, thus forming avery strong and economical support and inclosingcasing for the actuating mechanism of the signal. The upper casing ispreferably formed in sections, as indicated, having vertical flanges 25which are laid together and riveted or otherwise secured in assembling.In the wall ofeach of these sections is provided a bearing for a shortsemaphore shaft 26 and each section carries also a bracket 27. Thesebrackets are rovided with bearings in line with the bearings in thewalls of the casing for the inner ends of the sema hore shafts. A pulley28 is secured to eac one of the shafts 26, and chains 29 connected tosaid ulleys, as by pinning the ends of the chains to the periphery ofthe pulleys, pass over said ulleys and down adjacent the inner wall ofthe post, the shaft bearings in the upper casing being located near oneof the slde walls thereof. Obviously any suitable iieXible connection ascable, ro e or otherwise could be substituted as fu equivalent of thechain illustrated and the term chain is used to cover broadly suchfieXible connection. On a ivot shaft in the lower casing are locate twoidler pulleys 30, 30 over which the chains 29 pass and from which theyare led through openings in the sides of the casing, to a point outsidethe casing where they may be actuated as by suitable treadle levers 31.

In the front and side walls of the casing, one o1* both, there may belocated transparent sections A of any suitable material. Within theupper casing is mounted a pulley preferably at a oint above the plane ofthe semaphore shafts and on a line passing between the two, as shown.Over this pulley passes a cord 33, one end of which is connected to anoil pot B and the other end to a counterweight 34. A pull-down cord 35connected to the lower side of the oil ot enables it to be brought downinto the ower casing to the level of a door 36 where it may be readil fcleaned and attended to, the counterweigilt holding it normally in theposition shown in Fig. l in registry with the transparent sections inthe walls of the casing. TheA position of the semaphore shafts at oneside of the casing allows the chains to pass down at one side of thepost where they will not interfere with the free movement of the oilpot.

The semaphore frames or arms are alike and a description of one willsuffice for both, it beinr understood that they are secured upon tieends of the shafts 26, as best shown in Fig. 2, on the outside of thecasing for movement therewith So far as the use of the term shaft in thespecifieationiand claims is concerned it is immaterial whether thesemaphore arm moves with the shaft orfon it.

thereof. The entire semaphore armV is preferably in one piece, andstamped, `ressed or otherwise formed of a single p ate of light yetstrong material, as-steel. What maybe termed the main frame or member,

as-at 37, has a hub 38,l by which lit may be mounted on the semaphoreshaft, struekup therefrom at one side, while at the` other side thereare 4struck up a series `of supple mentary steadying pieces or supports39 adapted to engage the side of the. upper easin f 22 when the signalis in position any desired shape, but preferably has a central aperture,as at 41, surrounded by a fiange 42 such that there is provided a socketbetween the iange142 and lthe outer ange 43, within which socket a.Vcounterweight block .may be secured if desired. The semaphore blade ispreferably formed, as shown, of inverted U-shape, having. side Walls 44,44 separated a short distance from each other and joined by an u perwall 45, the lower edge being o en. T 1e preferable method of formingthe lade in this shape is by first forming a wide plate substantiallytwice the width which is described for the blade, said blade beingintegral with the frameifor a part only of its width, and then turningdown the part extendin .above the frame, asfshown by the dotted ines at46, into its final shape, asshown. For purposes of stiffening and.strength it is prefere able that there should bev interposed between theside Walls at a=point near the fraxme. a fille-r block 47 of wood orother material. A filler piece 48 may also be see cured :at the end ofthey blade. between the Details of construction ofthe arm are best shownin Fig. 6 `andthe sectionstwo walls, both for the purposes of completingthe inclosure of the top and sides of the blade and for stiffening.

It will be seen that the described construction provides a very light,economical, easily formed sema ihcre, which is yet sufficiently stiff towithstand the action of the wind and strains to which it is subjected.lt will be seen that the U-shaped construction ofthe blade is desirablealso since the space inclosed thereby may be readily utilized byinserting from beneath, lights, resistance` coils and the like, commonlyused in connection with suchl signals.

The fact which is-especially aplicable to inventions ofthis characterwilllbe readily alpparent to those acquainted with thisart, t iatvariouschanges `in form and position of elements-and` in` the mannerfofJ assembling variouselements `may be,` madewliich might materially change theappearance of the signal and associated partsy withoutvaryingtheprinciple or departing from the sco e of this invention.

uch novel features of invention as are shown but not claimed herein areintended` to be claimed in a companion application for semaphore signalofeven.` date with .this i application.

Having described myy invention, whatfI claim as new and desire tosecureby Letters Patent is 1. A semaphore frame having a` shaft bearingtherein and a supplementary `steadying member struck u i from saidframe.

2. A semaphore rame having ai shaft bearing therein and a series ofsupplemen` tary steadying members struck kup lrom said frame.

3. A semaphore `frame having4 a` shaft. bearing therein and a su`plementary steady-r ing member struck up rom: said frame adr jacentsaid shaft bearing.

4. A semaphore frame-having an, integrat` hub forming a shaft bearingstruck up( on one side thereof and a series of supplementarysteadying.members-struck up on ther other side of said frame.

5. A onespiece semaphore framey havingta` counterwei ht arm and a bladearm, said blade arm eing of U-shapein cross section.'

6. A oneieee semaphorefframe having a, counterweig t arm and abladelarm, said blade arm being of inverted U-shafpe in cross section.

7. A onefpiece semaphore blade of U.-shapeA m cross-section..

8.` Aonepiece metallic semaphore blade of U..-shape in cross section.

9. Awone-piece metallic semaphore blade of inverted Ueshape incross1sect1on.

10. A sernaphormblade of Uf'sha-pe in crosssec-tion and having Va fillerblock interposed between Jthe sides thereof.

11. A metallic, semaphore blade off Ur shape in cross section andhaving' a lilloiblocl'; interposed between the sides lheeol'.

12. A metallic semaphore blade el' U shape in cross section and having':i lille:- blocli at the outer end oi the blade.

13. A semaphore traine provided with a U-shaped blade, with :t lilferbloeit' inteiposed between the 4sides ol' said blade a` the pcinl wherethe l'ianie is :.:onnceled therein, and :i second filler bloeh near theouter end ol' said blade.

let. A seliniphore lraine provided -with a blade ol' inverted U-shape incross, seeion` one ol' the side walls ol' said U being integral withsaid frame.

15. A one-piece semaphore traino pron vided at one end with acomiterweigrht arm and at the other end with a blade ol' U-shape incross section, one ol' the side walls ol' said U being` integral withsaid lraine.

16. A one-piece seiuaph-ne l'ranie provided at one ond with acminteiweiffjht aan: and at the other end with a blade ol' invertedU-shape in cross section, one of the sides of said U being' integralwith the main freine.

1T. 1n a semaphore sional, in combinaN tion, a central suppe;tinge,lpest com osed ol' sections oi' formed steel plates provi( ed withvertical 'flanges by which the edges oi adjacent sections may beconnected, a casing' at the top ol said post, a semaphoreY arm mountedon the outside ol' said casing 'lor movement relative thereto, meansinclosed within said casing lor so moving said arm. and actuating'connections for said moving-g' means extending down through said post.

1S. In a semaphore sier al, in ernnhination, a central supporting' postcomprised ol sections oi' formed steel plates provided with verticalilanges by which the edges of adjacent sections may be connected, acasing1 at the top oi said post, a semaphore arm mounted on the outsideei said casingr i'or movement relative thereto, means inelosed withinsaid easing for so moving' said arm, a lower or base casing' at thebottoni of said post, actuating connections for said moving: meansextending down through said post and into said lower casing, and meansi`or applyingr power to said actuating.;l means from the outside oi'said easing.

19). In a semaphore signal, in combina tion, a easing, a shaft mountedin bearings therein, semaphore arm mounted on said. shaft for movementrelative to said casing, a trans arent section in the side of saidcasing', a pui ey mounted in said easingr independently oi' said shaft,a cord passing); over said pulley, a eounterweight connected to one endand a light supplying` means to the other end of said oord.

20. A easing adapted to be included as part of a semaphore post, saidcasing being made up of connected sections, each of said sections beingprovided with a bearing in the wall thereof and a bracket Carrying asecond )earing in line with the lirst.

31. A asiiug adapted to be influded as part ol' a semaphore |iost, saidcasing heiratr huilt up olz connected sections, earli section havingVformed therein a bearing;y for one end ol' a scnouphore shaft andcarrying' a bracket provided with a lirlziiiiifg, for the other end of'said shaft, a shaft mounted in said bearings,

a pulley mounted on said shaft within the 'using and a semaphore armmounted on said shaft without the casing.

ln a semaphore signal, in combination., a hollow post, an upper casing,rsupported thereon, said casing beinpT provided with bearings formed inthe walls thereof and sup]lenientary bearings carried by brackets inline with each of said vfirst bearings, a shaft Carried by each sot oibearings, semaphore arms on said shafts, pulleys conner-ted to saidshafts on the inside of the casing, chains connected to said pulleys andpassing down. through the hollow post, a base casing at the lower end ofsaid post, idler pulleys mounted in said base easing` corresponding" tothe shaft pulleys and openings in said base casing through which theends of said chains may be led out and means for applying power to saidchains outside of said casing.

23. In a double-blade semaphore signal, in combination-1, a hollow )ostprovided with a easing at its upper and lower ends respectively, a lightsupplyingr means mounted for movement up and down within said post,shafts carried by said upper casing near one side thereof, senniphorearms carried by said shafts and connections for actuating said shaftsextending to the lower easing adja cent the inner wall of said post atone side of the line of movement of said light supplying means.

24. AV semaphore blade of U -shape in cross-seetion.

25. A semaphore blade, of inverted U- shape in cross section.

26. In signaling apparatus, means snpporting a semaphore arm and adaptedto swing about an axis, and comprisiiig member extending on the side ofsaid axis away from the semaphore arm. said member bein(r formed ofsheet metal of substantially equa thickness throughout and provided witha strengthening flange about its peripheral edge. i

27. In signaling apparatus, in combination, means supporting a semaphorearm and adapted to swing about an axis, and comprising a memberextending on the side of said axis away from the semaphore arm, saidmember beingI provided with a flange about its edge, and a counterweightsecured within said flange.

28. In signaling apparatus, in combination, means supporting a semaphorearm and l il() adapted to Swingr about au axis, and eemprisxng a memberextending!l en the side el said axis away from the semaphore arm, saidmember being formed of sheet metal ef sub stantially equal thicknessthroughout, and irevided with a Strengthel'iing 'flange about itsperipheral edge, and a eeuutex-weight secured te Said member within saidflange.

29. In signaling apparatus, in combination', means supporting asemaphore arm and adapted t0 swing abeut an axis, and eemprising amember extending en the side of ISaid axis away from the semaphore arm,said member being formed ef Sheet metal and pre- Vided with astre]igtheuing` flange about its edge and having an opening formedtherein, and a member secured te said lii'at member at the portionsther-eef abeut said opening.

1n testimony whereof allix my signature, in the presence of twowitnesses.

SAMUEL H. HARRING'ION.

Witnesses:

J. KNOX, L. B. STREVELL.

